ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Publications Division bags nine awards for Excellence in Book Production 2022 presented by The Federation of Indian Publishers
The apex body of Indian publishers, The Federation of Indian Publishers’  42nd Annual Awards for Excellence in Book Production 2022 was held today in New Delhi. Directorate of Publications Division won nine awards in various categories for its titles.
DPD won six first prizes in the Categories of - General and Trade Books  for ‘Balancing the Wisdom Tree’, General and Trade Books  for ‘Bharat Vibhajan Ki Kahani’, Art and Coffee Table Books  for ‘Courts of India ’, Reference Books  for ‘India 2022’, Scientific/Technical/Medical Books  for ‘Covid-19: Vaishik Mahamari’, and Journals and House Magazines  for ‘Kurukshetra’.
One Second Prize in the category of General and Trade Books  for ‘Loktantra ke Swar’ and two Third Prizes in the categories of - Children Books    for ‘Pinushi’ and Journals and House Magazines  for ‘Ajkal ’ was awarded to the Division.
Last year, Publications Division won ten awards for its various publications in different categories. DPD is a repository of books and journals which highlight the subjects of national importance and India’s rich cultural heritage. Established in 1941, Publications Division is a premier publishing house of Government of India offering books and journals in different languages and on diverse themes including history, art, literature, culture, finance, science and sports, Gandhian literature, children's literature as well as speeches of national leaders and autobiographies of renowned personalities. The Division enjoys credibility among readers and publishers and is well recognized for the authenticity of content as well as reasonable price of its publications.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Voluntary Retirement Scheme for Employees
Presently, there is no proposal in the Government to reduce the retirement age of Government employees below 60 years.
There is no such proposal of Golden Voluntary Retirement Scheme under consideration of the Government.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State  Development of North-Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
TEACHERS’ TRAINING TO BE REVAMPED VIA DISTRICT INSTITUTES OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
NATIONAL DIGITAL LIBRARY TO BE SET UP FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
STATES WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO SET UP PHYSICAL LIBRARIES AT PANCHAYAT AND WARD LEVEL
A CULTURE OF READING AND FINANCIAL LITERACY TO BE ENCOURAGED THROUGH PHYSICAL LIBRARIES
Government’s philosophy of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas has facilitated inclusive development said the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the Union Budget 2023-24 in Parliament today,
The Union Budget adopts seven priorities which complement each other and act as the ‘Saptarishi’ guiding us through the Amrit Kaal. Inclusive development is one of the priorities of the Government, which includes Health, Education and Skilling.
While giving stress on Teachers’ Training, the Finance Minister said that teachers’ training will be re-envisioned through innovative pedagogy, curriculum transaction, continuous professional development, dipstick surveys, and ICT implementation. The District Institutes of Education and Training will be developed as vibrant institutes of excellence for this purpose, she added.
The Minister announced the setting up of a National Digital Library for Children and Adolescents for facilitating availability of quality books across geographies, languages, genres and levels, and device agnostic accessibility. She informed that states will be encouraged to set up physical libraries for them at panchayat and ward levels and provide infrastructure for accessing the National Digital Library resources.
The Minister also informed that to build a culture of reading and to make up for pandemic-time learning loss, the National Book Trust, Children’s Book Trust and other sources will be encouraged to provide and replenish non curricular titles in regional languages and English to these physical libraries. Collaboration with NGOs that work in literacy will also be a part of this initiative, she added.
To inculcate financial literacy, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman said that financial sector regulators and organizations will be encouraged to provide age-appropriate reading material to these libraries.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister meets Alliance Parties in Bangladesh
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, as part of his two-day visit to Bangladesh met Political leaders from 14 Party Alliance along with the Convener. Discussions centred on diverse issues of bilateral relations were held during the meeting to strengthen ties between the two nations.
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Ministry of Railways
During this festive season of Holi, Indian Railways notified 196 special services so far to ensure smooth and comfortable travel to the passengers
These 196 special services will make 491 Trips
Crowd management at major stations is being prioritized
Special Trains planned to connect major destinations across the country on railway routes
In this ongoing festive season of Holi, for the convenience of rail travelers and to clear extra rush of passengers, Indian Railways is running 491 trips of 196 special trains.
Special Trains have been planned to connect major destinations across the country on railway routes like Delhi- Patna, Delhi- Bhagalpur, Delhi-Muzaffarpur, Delhi-Saharsa, Gorakhpur- Mumbai, Kolkata-Puri, Guwahati- Ranchi , New Delhi- Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Jaipur- Bandra Terminus, Pune- Danapur etc.
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SUMMARY OF HOLI SPECIAL -2023 
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S.NO.
|
|
RAILWAY
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NOTIFIED TRAIN
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|
NOTIFIED TRIPS
|
|
1
|
|
CR
|
|
29
|
|
122
|
|
2
|
|
ECR
|
|
16
|
|
58
|
|
3
|
|
ER
|
|
8
|
|
14
|
|
4
|
|
ECoR
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
5
|
|
NCR
|
|
4
|
|
10
|
|
6
|
|
NER
|
|
10
|
|
22
|
|
7
|
|
NFR
|
|
6
|
|
22
|
|
8
|
|
NR
|
|
35
|
|
75
|
|
9
|
|
NWR
|
|
14
|
|
38
|
|
10
|
|
SCR
|
|
6
|
|
6
|
|
11
|
|
SER
|
|
9
|
|
9
|
|
12
|
|
SECR
|
|
2
|
|
2
|
|
13
|
|
SR
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
14
|
|
SWR
|
|
8
|
|
10
|
|
15
|
|
WCR
|
|
12
|
|
18
|
|
16
|
|
WR
|
|
36
|
|
84
|
|
17
|
|
KR
|
|
0
|
|
0
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||
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G.Total
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196
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|
491
Crowd controlling measures by forming queue at the terminus stations under the supervision of RPF staff for orderly entry of passengers in unreserved coaches is being ensured.
Additional RPF personnel have been deployed at major stations to ensure security of passengers. Officers are deployed on Emergency Duty at major stations to ensure smooth running of trains. Staff are deployed in various sections to attend any disruption of train service on priority.
Measures have been taken for frequent and timely announcement of arrival/departure of trains with platform numbers.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Import and Export of Agricultural Products
During 2020-21, import of agricultural produces was Rs. 141448.05 crore as against export of Rs. 210093.40 crore, bearing a ratio of 0.67 to1.
India is self reliant in most of the agri commodities. However, vegetable oils, pulses, cashew nuts, fresh fruits and spices are major agri commodities which are imported. To ensure self-reliance in pulses, the Government has been implementing National Food Security Mission  to improve the production of pulses. Besides, under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna , funds are being provided to States for improving the production of pulses. NFSM-Oilseeds programme is being implemented to improve production of essential edible oils in the country. National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm  has been launched with the aim to augment the availability of edible oil in the country by harnessing area expansion, increasing crude palm oil production to reduce the import burden. To address high import of turmeric, steps are being taken to organize cultivation of varieties with high curcumin content in clusters in suitable areas. To meet the growing demand of raw cashew nuts in the country, the Government seeks to increase the area with high yielding varieties, high density planting, rejuvenation of senile orchards and canopy management etc.
Department of Commerce is the Nodal Governmental Agency dealing with import and export including agriculture sector in the country and is responsible for developing and formulating Trade Policy and programmes. Various organisations of the Department of Commerce are engaged in the development and promotion of exports of agriculture products viz. Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority ; Spices Board; Tea Board; Coffee Board; Rubber Board; Tobacco Board; Export Inspection Council. Besides, the Department of Commerce engages with various Export Promotion Councils, Trade and Industry Associations, Farmer-Producer Organisations, Cooperatives etc. to undertake export promotion of agricultural products and resolve the issues related to exports.
Also, product specific Export Promotion Forums  for eight high potential agri products i.e. Grapes, Mango, Banana, Onion, Rice, Nutri-cereals, Pomegranate, Floriculture & Plant material have been created under auspices of APEDA to promote export of identified product in a focused manner.
This information was given by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON FARMERS’ WELFARE SCHEMES FIELD STAFF TO PLAY KEY ROLE TO ENLIGHTEN THE FARMING COMMUNITY ON THE FARMERS WELFARE SCHEMES - MP SHRI DATTATREYA
Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, Secunderabad, Member of Parliament said that field staff of the Directorate of Field Publicity, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has to play an important role to enlighten the farming community on the farmers welfare schemes of the Central Government. Speaking at the Regional Workshop on Farmers’ Welfare Schemes organised by Directorate of Field Publicity, Hyderabad, Shri Dattatreya asserted that Ministry of Information and Broadcasting staff are like the Eyes and Ears of the Central Government to formulate new schemes and policies. Explaining on the Central Government functioning, he said that by using latest technological departments, transparency can be seen in each and every scheme. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Cards, encourage to organic farming e-NAM and other schemes are the examples of famers welfare, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. K. Laxman, MLA, Musheerabad said for the welfare of the farmers, the Central Government is providing funds to the State Government to implement various schemes. There is a much need to publicise the schemes and welfare to the farming community. At the time of the critical time, the farming community has to be provided much guidance from the state and central Governments.
Earlier, Shri M.V.V.S. Murthy, Director General, Press Information Bureau, Government of India was Chief Guest of the workshop and inaugurated the Workshop. He said with the aim to double the income of the farmers, implementing various schemes, the ministry people are key in spreading the message.
Shri K. Srinivas, DGM, SBI explained on the banking schemes. Smt. G. Anitha, OSD, Department of Agriculture, Telangana and Smt. Shylaja gave the details on the State Government Schemes. Shri Rahul Gowlikar, Dy. Director, All India Radio informed that All India Radio broadcasting various programmes on Agriculture related. Shri M. Devendra, Joint Director, DFP, Hyderabad welcomed the gathering and Smt. P. Bharatha Lakshmi, DD, DFP, presided over the workshop. Shri P. Ratnakar, DD, PIB, Hyderabad and other officials of DFP were present.
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PIB Headquarters
PIB’S BULLETIN ON COVID-19
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- 194.76 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
- India's Active caseload currently stands at 36,267
- Active cases stand at 0.08%
- Recovery Rate currently at 98.70%
- 3,791 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to
- 4,26,44,092
- 7,584 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
- Daily positivity rate 
- Weekly Positivity Rate 
- 85.41 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 3,35,050 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
#Unite2FightCorona #IndiaFightsCorona
Press Information Bureau
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Government of India
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Emissions and foreign exchange savings due to ethanol blending
The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today informed that Under the Ethanol Blended Petrol  Programme, Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies  are selling E10  as per availability. For the ongoing Ethanol Supply Year  2020-21, OMCs have sold3672.46 crore litres of ethanol blended petrol during the period 01st December, 2020 to 14th November, 2021.
A joint study was conducted by Indian Oil Corporation Limited  along with Automotive Research Association of India  and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers  to access the effect of E10  on existing vehicles wherein the findings indicated that the hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions decreased by about 20% with E10 compared to neat petrol on both two wheelers and passenger cars. Subsequently another project on E20  showed that carbon monoxide emissions decreased by about 50% in two wheelers and about 30% in four wheelers by using E20 compared to neat petrol. The foreign exchange impact is a factor of average Free on Board  rate of petrol and USD/INR exchange rate. For the ongoing ESY 2020-21 during the period 01st December, 2020 to 14th November, 2021, the notional foreign exchange impact is estimated to be around Rs.9580 crores.
Department of Food and Public Distribution  has informed that the present alcohol/ethanol distillation capacity in the country is around 722 crore litres per annum which has to be increased to estimated 1500 crore litres per annum to meet the requirement of 20% ethanol blending under the EBP Programme and requirement of other sectors.
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AYUSH
Ayush Minister lays Foundation stone of Post Harvest Management Centre and E-Launches 21 AYUSH Health & Wellness Centres in J&K
Shri Shripad Naik Union Minister of State  for AYUSH and Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for the Prime Minister Office and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, have laid Foundation Stone for Post Harvest Management Centre for Medicinal Plants at Bhaderwah and inaugurated 21 AYUSH Health & Wellness Centres in Jammu & Kashmir on 25th Sept 2020 through video conferencing.
The purpose of establishing Post Harvest Management Centre for Medicinal Plants is to develop facilities for drying, sorting, processing, certification, packaging, and safe storage of herbal raw materials produced and collected by local people so that its quality is enhanced to fetch better price and augment the income of farmers associated.
During the event, 21 AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres were also inaugurated under Ayushman Bharat in Jammu & Kashmir. A holistic wellness model would be created through these centres to reduce the disease burden and out of the pocket expenditure. The main focus of AYUSH interventions would be to empower masses for “self-care” on the prevention of diseases through a healthy lifestyle, food, Yoga, and medicinal plants.
Shri, Shripad Naik in his address stated that the “Post Harvest Management Centre” of medicinal plants in the Bhaderwah region of Jammu & Kashmir was a long pending demand of people of this area and highlighted the big potential of the region in the cultivation of many Himalayan medicinal plant species. Minister appreciated the effort of UT Government officials in implementing a centrally sponsored program and stated that Govt. of India is according top priority to J&K for accelerating the pace of development.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, during his address highlighted that this Post Harvest Centre will create Employment Avenue among the youth in addition to other facilities provided for the growers and collectors of medicinal plants. Further, he empathized that the AYUSH Health and Wellness Programme will not only provide services to the needy people but also promote AYUSH at the international level.
MV/SK
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Special Service and Features
Postal Dak Adalat
It is proposed to conduct DAK ADALAT on 21.12.2021 at 1100 hours at Anna Road HPO, Chennai 600002. The members of the public are requested to send their grievances, if any regarding Postal services  availed at AnnaRoad HPO, Chennai 600002, either in person or by post or through email at doannaroadhpo.tn@indiapost.gov.in, with the caption DAK ADALAT , on or before 18.12.2021. They may also attend the DakAdalat in person on 21.12.2021 at 1100 hours, according to a press release issued by Mr.M.Murali, Chief Postmaster, Anna Road HPO, Chennai 600 002.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
FOCUS ON UPGRADING AND STRENGTHENING INSTITUTES TO MEET NSCSTI ACCREDITATION : HARDEEP SINGH PURI
THESE STANDARDS WOULD EQUIP TRAINING INSTITUTES TO EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS EMERGING CHALLENGES OF 21ST CENTURY
MEETING OF TRAINING INSTITUTES IN URBAN SECTOR HELD BY UNION MINISTER SHRI HARDEEP S PURI
Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs and Petroleum & Natural Gas today reviewed training institutes in urban sector on various parameters. The Training Institutes were reviewed on various parameters vis. Institutional set-up, current status of Capacity Building & Skill Development, areas of core expertise of the institute, financial sustainability plans, and details of courses that can be made online on iGoT platform for civil servants. The meeting focused on upgrading and strengthening the institutes to meet the "National Standards for Civil Services Training Institutions"  accreditation. .The Minister emphasized that these standards would equip Training Institutions to effectively address the emerging challenges of the 21st century.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs  convened a meeting here today to review eight  training institutes under the Ministry. The objective of the meeting was to assess the current capacity of these institutes and align them with the overall objectives of Mission Karmayogi. The meeting was chaired by the Minister Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Hardeep S Puri, and was attended by Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, HUA, Shri Praveen Pardeshi, Member Capacity Building Commission , heads of 8 training institutes under MoHUA and other officials from the Ministry and CBC.
Mission Karmayogi, a visionary initiative of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, aims to revolutionize and strengthen the capacity building framework within the Indian bureaucracy. It aims to equip civil servants with the necessary skills, knowledge, and mindset to effectively contribute to the nation's development and governance. Mission Karmayogi is committed to Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision for a reformed civil service essential to meet the aspirations of a rapidly evolving nation.
The importance of continuous improvements and bringing new skills in the training institutes along with aligning them with the evolving needs of the civil servants and the challenges of the modern era were stressed upon. Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, MoHUA, highlighted the importance of elevating the quality and capacity of training delivery across the institutes. He highlighted the need to harmonize training standards for effective skill development.Strengthening these institutes will play a crucial role in enhancing the capabilities of civil servants and empowering them to effectively serve the nation.
The 8 Training Institutes who participated in the meeting were Delhi Metro Rail Academy , National CPWD Academy; Ghaziabad, Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies , The Human Settlement Management Institute , Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council , and Centre for Urban Studies .
Ministry of Finance
Major initiatives taken by Government & RBI to mitigate hardship faced by farmers due to COVID-19
The Government and the Reserve Bank of India  have taken major initiatives to mitigate the hardship being faced by farmers due to COVID-19. This was stated by Union Minister of State for Finance Dr Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
The Minister further stated the efforts made/being made by the Government for the remedy of the problems regarding agriculture loan being faced by the farmers in the country as under:
- The moratorium for the total period of six months upto 31st August, 2020, was permitted in respect of all term loans . This was aimed at providing temporary reprieve to borrowers affected by the pandemic, while attempting to preserve the resilience of the financial system. In order to ensure that farmers do not pay higher interest during the moratorium period, the benefit of 2% Interest Subvention and 3% Prompt Repayment Incentive was also extended to them for the moratorium period up to 31st August, 2020 or date of repayment, whichever is earlier. As advised by RBI, the moratorium has not been extended beyond August 31, 2020 taking into account the larger implications on the banking sector, credit culture and financial stability.
- In respect of loans to allied activities viz., dairy, fishery, animal husbandry, poultry, bee-keeping and sericulture, RBI has also issued a clarification that these loans can be taken up for resolution under the Resolution Framework for Covid-19 related Stress issued on 6th August 2020 which, inter alia, provides for a moratorium upto two years.
- Further, RBI’s extant directions on relief measures to be provided by respective lending institutions in areas affected by natural calamities, such as flood, cyclone, drought, hailstorm, cold wave/frost, etc., inter alia, include, restructuring/rescheduling of existing crop loans and term loans, extending fresh loans, relaxed security and margin norms, moratorium, etc. These directions have been so designed that the moment calamity is declared by the concerned State Governments/District Authorities they are automatically set in motion without any intervention, thus saving precious time. The benchmark for initiating relief measures by banks has also been reduced to 33% crop loss in line with the National Disaster Management Framework.
- To meet the credit needs for post-harvest and kharif sowing requirements of farmers including small and marginal farmers, a front-loaded Special Liquidity Facility  of Rs. 55,000 crore under SLF–I and SLF-II has been extended by NABARD during COVID-19 pandemic for Regional Rural Banks, Cooperative Banks and Non Banking Financial Company -Micro Finance Institutions . This additional special liquidity facility to the rural financial institutions at concessional rate of interest will ensure enhanced credit flow to the agriculture and the allied sector.